UofL’s Sustainability Council accepts applications every summer from those willing to give up the right to a parking permit for at least two years in exchange for a $400 voucher to area bike shops! Applications for the 2015 Earn-A-Bike Program will open in mid-April on this webpage.

Applications for the 2014 Earn-A-Bike Program closed at 5pm on August 28, 2014 and all vouchers have been distributed.

All applicants should have checked the email address used in the application on Aug. 29th to
find out if they were accepted and to register to pick-up their
voucher at one of the orientation and safety sessions that occurred in early
September.

Anyone with a valid UofL ID who is willing to give up the right to a parking permit for the next two years and instead bike, walk, bus, carpool, or vanpool to campus can apply to receive a $400 voucher to area bike shops. Vouchers can be redeemed for a new bike, helmet, and U-lock, or to
fix-up and equip your bike for year-round commuting with lights, racks,
bags, etc.

This is NOT a first-come, first-served program.

If you plan to purchase a parking permit for Fall, but have not yet done so, wait until AFTER purchasing your permit to complete your application.

This is an ANNUAL program with a new round of voucher distributions occurring at the beginning of each Fall semester. Those who are not accepted or unable to make the commitment this year may reapply next year.

Enthusiasm for this program has been outstanding, with 1170 vouchers being distributed in the first three years! In 2014, over 800 UofL students, faculty, and staff
were willing to commit to not driving to campus for at least two years! Similar numbers of applicants were processed in the first two years of the program, as well.

UofL's Sustainability Council launched the Earn-A-Bike program in August 2012 as part of our Climate Action Plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to encourage students and employees to use bicycles for transportation. The goals of this nationally-recognized, award-winning program include:

Reducing the vehicle miles traveled to campus (and associated pollution);

Reducing the number of vehicles that must be parked on and around campus;

Increasing health and activity levels within the UofL community;

Saving money you would otherwise spend on gas, parking, and other automobile expenses;

Reducing traffic congestion; and

Rewarding individuals for not driving to campus.

UofL’s Sustainability Council has a limited annual budget for this program. Each August, the program offers a limited number of bike shop vouchers to those willing to use alternative means of getting to campus other than driving.

To be eligible for the Earn-A-Bike program, you must be enrolled or employed by UofL at the time of the deadline and you must indicate an understanding that if your application is accepted, you will have to turn in any current UofL parking permits and you will not be able to purchase any UofL parking permits for the next two years. Once the deadline for application has passed each year, vouchers are distributed to eligible applicants based on priority levels. Because this program is focused on changing behavior and reaching as many people as possible, top priority is given to current UofL parking permit holders, then former UofL parking permit holders, then all others. Those new to campus are given special consideration. Former program beneficiaries are given lowest priority.

How the Program Works:

Those students, faculty and staff who qualify and are selected will be notified via email just after the application deadline that they are eligible to pick up a voucher worth up to $400 (sales tax-exempt), to be used at designated local bike shops.

Each voucher is intended to cover the costs of a reliable, basic commuter bicycle, helmet and U-lock, but can be used to purchase any bicycling-related products or services
offered by the shops. Get a new bike, or fix-up and equip the one you
have for year-round commuting with fenders, lights, baskets, racks,
pannier bags, a pump, maintenance tools, lubricant, spare parts, tubes
and tire liners, etc.

Those who accept a voucher must return to the Parking Office any current UofL parking permits and will not be eligible to purchase a new permit for two full calendar years.If you cannot make this long-term commitment and think you might want a permit in the future due to changes in weather, relocation, medical issues, theft of your bike, future availability of reserved parking spots, etc. then this program is NOT for you!

Vouchers can only be redeemed by the recipient. They are non-transferable.

Vouchers have no cash value. No change or gift cards will be issued. Any unused portion of the
$400 value of the voucher will be used by the university for other related programs.

Vouchers expire within three months of issue.

Each voucher may only be used for one transaction at one bike shop.

Vouchers may not be combined because the goal is to get more people on bikes.

If lost, vouchers cannot be replaced. Treat them like cash.

You must present your UofL ID and submit your voucher to the bike shop at the time of purchase.

Voucher users may choose to spend additional personal funds (though they will be subject to sales tax), or to not redeem the full amount of the voucher. Get whatever you need to be safe and comfortable commuting year-round by bike.

To pick up vouchers, accepted applicants MUST attend one of several one-hour orientation and safety sessions. A complete schedule and link to register for these sessions is sent with the program acceptance email. Sessions are made available at a variety of times and days of the week on both Belknap campus and at the Health Sciences Center.

The application form for the 2015 Earn-A-Bike Program will be posted on this webpage in late spring 2015.